Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-04-08
MiseellanenMs.
TRAVELS In EUROPE.

MY Dear Sac AS the school boy wrote
in his composition:
"Time flies on very rapid wings,
And leaves no time to do ones things"
and certainly he left me no time To write
my usual letter last week. But left you
In very good place--at Antwerp--and
hope you have improved your opportuni-
ties and education In art. You know told
you that there was an understanding in our
party that each was TO take his turn In con
tributng to the amusement of the Others.
1t was Franks turn at Antwerp. He wanted
TO buy some foreign writing paper and sew
eral sabots to bring home as curoslties. SO
off he started, while the rest OF us stayed at
the hotel and wrote home He CHANGED TO
walk into shop where French was not
spoken, and where the shop-k keeper was not
bright. Of course, the first question was
asked: Speak English ?" Slowly tho wp-
man shook her head. Then commenced tie
tussle. swell, want some paper-s.o.m 0
paper, write--to write" Still the head
behind the counter solemnly shook. Then
Frank put his hand on the wrapping paper
and made the motion Of writing. A CLEAN
of intelligence shot int her eyes and tho
woman brought out wrapping paper
Again Frank wrote with his finger, then
SIT piCubhb hCdNJ sphDCIs
That was nearing the question, so he looked
pleased, and measured with his hand about
the size he wanted, saying. "Thin--tln-
theen, go to America" Still the head shook
no understand. Then he tried TO explain by
motions and words, spoke lsud and broke
his English, first in half then In little bits,
and finally crum6led IL all up, but tho poor
woman still waggng her head, went and.
called her husband lie did better, and af.
ter another struggle brought cut tho desired
article, that detestation Of letter writer's
cross barred, greasy.looking foreign paper,
poor TO write on and worse TO read. Frank
took his package, paid his francs, wiped the
persplration from his brow aud left the
sabsts for another day. He brought home
q paper Of candy-hew he got that remains
a mystery. hope he did not pick 1t up
and walk off with II without any words
Do you know any deaf and dumb asylum
needing teacher or professor | think
Frank could I'll the place now. Europe Is
very improving. This was our last day in
Belgium, and we repacked our trunks, re-
ceived the customary boutonniere, part,
ing gift from the proprietor 10 the Indy
guests, and started on our three hours ride
to Holland.
You may be surprised to hear me speak
Of our trunks, for many people have the idea
that ii is impossible TO travel on the Cont.
nent with baggage, excepting what can be
carried in the hands. We determined, how
ever, before starting 10 60 comfortably, even
II we went TO fewer places, so each took a
small, light hand.satchel, and, where the
climate required IL, a travelling shawl and
umbrella, strapped together, having all our
clothing in our trunks, which went wherever
we went. Occasionally, II we were 10 stop
ever one night, wo sent our baggage on TO
the next place, just as we would do at home,
but this was but seldom, and because we
really did not need IT, We carried three
trunks, or "boxes," tive Of them very large
wicker trunks, bought in London. These
last weigh very little, and as every pound ID
strictly charged for this was great advan.
tago. Having heard 50 much Of the fright
full expense TO which we would be subjected
by our tenierity, we thought we would keep
account OF all charges for extra baggage,
every traveller being allowed fifty.si pounds
free, excepting In Swtzland, where none Is
allowed The entire cost from the time we
left home till we returned, was less than
fourteen dollars. There bsiag no system Of
checks as with us, OF course II IL little
troublesome 10 have 10 claim your baggage,
luggage mean, never will be foreigner)
At every stopping place, but there was al
ways time, and Frank found IL much less
trouble than IL would have been " carry
about the immense packages which some
did. One can travel with very few changes
on the Continent as laundrying Is very
cheap, done on short notice, md generally
well done. Another objection often urged
Is the annoyance az the various and fire.
quent custom Offices Here Is where Edith's
time 10 entertain MS came In. Every time
we approached frontier, she got ready for
war, but not a single fight did we have.
Once she got a heavy chalk mark on the
outside OF her wrap which CHANGED 10 be In
her shawl strap, and had 10 travel for awhile
marked, inspected and passed." which Is
what the cross indicated But that was all.
Tho officers were courteous, and 80 were we,
which has good deal 10 do with II, we
found. We aided them In their investiga-
tons, kept our tempers when they turned
things upside down, and did no grumbling
till we came 10 the next place 10 unpack
One neyerl realizes what tiny countries these
are, as compared TO ours, I'll called " 90
from one custen house 10 another. They
could be put down In the middle OF some Of
eur States, and hardly noticed and when we
read In the papers how they are brlstling
all over with bayonets ready " prick each
~ oCCbD ~ oVntc Dlk
government, ours for instance ought 10
step in and say: Children, stop your quar-.
reling, you are too small 10 fight"
But am not telllng ysu u word about
La Hague nor Rotterdam either. The
latter gave US our first impression Of Hol-
land. IL Is curious mixture Of canals,
bridges, trees, houses and ships all quaint
and Dutch, Of course, In their style. Some
Of the houses are fine, five and six stories
high, shops below and residences above.
Ships are hore from every part Of the world,
and arc apparently at the very front doors,
In the heart Of the city. OF course, this
Whole country Is low, and fiat, and It's prin-
cipa feature Is windmils, which stretch
out their great arms like ghosts in the laad-
scape. or course, too, u cannot be very
healthy, and enc reason for so much smok.
ing here Is that II Is supposed TO ward of
masma, due 10 the stagnant water every
were Small boys, who, II they smoked the
juvenile cigarette In America would have